UEFA has now become the first of football’s continental confederations to address the sport’s concussion problem. Better late than never, one might say. Late it certainly is, but whether it represents any improvement in the sport’s attitude is questionable.
UEFA is “seeking research proposals to study the risk of heading the ball among youth players in European football”. That statement exposes the limitation of UEFA’s interest only in youth players. Nor does the statement include the word “concussion”.
If you want to be picky, you can separate long-term brain damage from the immediate effects of concussion. But the two, in football, are closely related. Studying one without the other would fail to make the key point that ball-to-head contact is no longer seen as the only problem. Head-to-head and head-to-elbow clashes are now considered to be, at least, of equal importance in causing concussions.
Much more contentious is the fact that UEFA does not intend to take any action to reduce potential concussion injuries. It proposes only to set up studies of the problem, then to report on the results of those studies.
In its statement, UEFA is acknowledging the possibility that football has a concussion problem. From the legal angle, that is a pretty risky position to take – especially when the sport plans no action. In practice, though, I doubt that the admission makes much difference to football’s position, which is already shaky. After all, should football ever try to use the “we weren’t aware” defence, it would be laughed out of court.
This story is from the Summer 2017 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Summer 2017 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team